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West Lost Lake is a 723-acre mesotrophic (moderately fertile) lake located in central Otter Tail County. The maximum depth is 16 feet with 96% of the lake 15 feet or less in depth. The immediate watershed is composed of agricultural land interspersed with hardwood woodlots. West Lost Lake is part of the Otter Tail River chain of lakes. The Otter Tail River inlet is located along the east shoreline while the outlet is located along the north shoreline. The shoreline length is 7.3 miles and the secchi disk reading for this survey was 9.5 feet. West Lost Lake is included in class 39 of the MN DNR lake classification scheme. A county owned public access is located on the east shoreline. The majority of the shoreline is undeveloped. There are three resorts located on the lake. Lakeshore development has been shown to negatively impact water quality by increasing nutrient levels and shoreline erosion. This can result in increased plankton/algae blooms, aquatic plant growth and suspended sediments, all of which can lead to decreased water clarity. By using best management practices (BMP's) and "lakescaping concepts", impacts of shoreline development and erosion can be minimized. Contact any county extension office for information on BMP's and your local DNR-Fisheries office for more information on lakescaping techniques. The dominant shoreline substrates are sand and gravel. Emergent aquatic plants such as hardstem bulrush and cattail are prevalent in many areas throughout the lake. These emergent plants provide valuable fish and wildlife habitat and are critical for maintaining good water quality. They protect shorelines and lake bottoms from erosion and can actually absorb and breakdown polluting chemicals. Emergent plants provide spawning habitat for fish species like northern pike, largemouth bass and panfish. They also serve as important nursery areas for all species of fish. Because of their ecological importance, emergent plants may not be removed without a DNR permit. West Lost Lake can be ecologically classified as a bass-panfish type of lake and this is reflected in the assemblage of the fish community. Northern pike, largemouth bass, and bluegill are the dominant gamefish species in the lake. Northern pike abundance is within the normal range for class 39 lakes. Age data indicate that pike reproduction is consistently good. Pike ranged in length from 16.8 to 35.4 inches with an average length and weight of 22.1 inches and 2.3 pounds. Pike attain an average length of 19.3 inches at four years of age. The bluegill population is abundant and possesses a very good size structure present. Fifty-seven percent of the bluegill from a spring assessment were at least 7.0 inches in length. Age data indicate that bluegill reproduction is consistently good. Bluegill attain an average length of 7.8 inches at six years of age. Numerous year classes of largemouth bass and black crappie were sampled, indicating that these species have suitable spawning habitat available to maintain good populations present in West Lost Lake. Bass ranged in length from 5.6 to 18.7 inches while crappies ranged in length from 4.4 to 10.7 inches. Walleye abundance has remained stable in recent surveys and is within the normal range for class 39 lakes. Natural reproduction and supplemental stockings of fry have contributed to the walleye population. Walleye ranged in length from 15.0 to 23.9 inches with an average length and weight of 19.1 inches and 2.4 pounds. Walleye fry are stocked on a biennial basis in West Lost Lake. Walleye attain an average length of 15.6 inches at four years of age. Anglers can maintain or improve the quality of fishing for all species of fish in West Lost Lake by practicing selective harvest. Selective harvest encourages the release of medium to large-size fish while allowing the harvest of the more abundant smaller fish for eating. Releasing the medium to large fish will ensure that the lake will have enough spawning age fish and will provide anglers with opportunities to catch more large fish in the future.